Access hole cover securing means



March 17, 1964 D. c. BAKER ACCESS HOLE COVER SECURING MEANS Filed Jan.8, 1963 INVENTOR. Da/mw 6. 5A HER fi y United Statesv Patent 3,125,239ACCESS HOLE CGVER SECURING MEANS Donald C. Baker, Burlington, Iowa,assignor to .l. 1. Case Company, Racine, Wis, a corporation of WisconsinFiled Jan. 8, 1963, Ser. No. 250,153 6 Claims. (til. 22tl35) The presentinvention relates to covers or closures, and particularly to closuresfor access openings in protective housings of a rugged nature forprotecting units of a relatively delicate character from damage. In theillustrative embodiment disclosed, the housing is intended to encloseand protect an automotive radiator, although the enclosure andprotection of any unit requiring protection is considered as within thecontemplation of the invention, whereby ready access to the unit Withinis important, but without impairing the protection alforded by thehousing or shell.

As an example, the radiator on a tractor-loader is subject to the hazardof rocks or other debris occasionally falling out of the loader bucket,and which could do great damage to the radiator if it were notprotected.

. On the other hand, the purpose of the protective shell would belargely defeated, if the usual filler neck and cap of the radiator wereto be exposed through the necessary opening in the, shell. A cover orclosure is therefore necessary for such opening. However, any closurefor such opening should be substantially instantly removable withouttools, but when in place should be rugged enough to withstand thebattering to which the shell is exposed from time to time.

3,125,239 Patented Mar. 17, 1964 "Ice ator 16 and, as will beunderstood, is perforated in a manner to admit the necessary cooling airto the radiator. Wall 16 preferably overhangs or extends beyond theupper edge of wall 12 and tends to shield the latter from objectsfalling on wall 10, and which might otherwise damage or displace wall12.

Furthermore, the closure must not be readily dislpldgled by objectsfalling on or brushing against it or the s e1.

With these requirements in view, an object of the invention is togenerally improve closures of this class.

A further object is to provide a closure for a protective housing orshell, and which closure is adapted to withstand substantial impactswithout damage.

Further objects are to provide such a closure which is readilyremovable, which is not likely to become displaced by falling stones orthe like, or by being brushed by the branches of trees, etc., which isresiliently anchored in closed or open position, and which has anintermediate position in which it will remain partially open forfacilitating a manufacturing operation, as paint- In the drawings,

FIGURE 1 is a plan view of a fragment of the top of a protective shellof the type involved with a closure thereon embodying the invention, and

FIG. 2 is a sectional view on the line 22 of FIG- URE 1.

The closure is applied to a protective housing or shell having an upperwall 10, a front Wall 12 and a side Wall 14, the several Walls, in thepresent illustrative embodiment, enclosing an automotive type radiator,a portion 16 which is shown disposed within the enclosure formed by thewalls and beneath a filler opening 18. Portion 16 has a filler neck 20of well known type which is closed by a suitable removable cap 22 whichmay also be of any well known type. Cap 22 is positioned to be easilyreached and removed by reaching the hand through opening 18 when asuitable cover 24 is removed.

Walls 10 and 14 constitute the protective structure of the shell, and inthe illustrative embodiment are made of heavy boiler plate suitablywelded together to form a box-like enclosure, it being understood thatanother side wall corresponding to wall 14 is provided, but which isremoved and not visible in the drawings. Wall 12 is not necessarily asrigid as walls 18 and 14, but is sufficiently strong to protect thevertical front face of radi- Access opening 18, as stated, is positionedto allow access to filler cap 22, and therefore is, in the presentinstance, formed in the substantially horizontal portion of wall 16,although it is to be understood that the invention might also be used inconnection with protective enclosures wherein the necessary accessopening was in a wall other than a horizontal wall.

Cover 24 comprises a plate 26 of heavy sheet metal or material whichwill be rugged enough over the comparatively limited area of opening 18to withstand the impact of rocks, etc., falling onto wall 10, if theyhappen to hit closure 24. Plate 26 will not need to be as thick as wall10, since it is supported on all sides by the margins of opening 18.However, it is made of heavy material, in the present illustrativeembodiment, of a thickness of /8 inch.

Plate 26 has an extension portion 28 beyond the margin of opening 18,and providing an aperture, slot or notch 30. Notch 30 is bridged by ahinge pin 32 which is permanently fastened in place in any suitablemanner on the side of plate 26 away from wall 10; in the closed positionof the cover; in the present instance as by welding 34. A U-boltgenerally designated as 36 has a bight portion 38 disposed above hingepin 32. It also has legs 40 and 42 extending downwardly from bightportion 38 through spaced openings or bolt holes 44 and 46 formed inwall 10, spaced from opening 18, and registering with slot 30. Extension28 of plate 26 projects as aforesaid not only beyond the margin ofopening 18, but also a slight distance beyond the hinge pin 32.

U-bolt 36 has a spring 48 on leg 40 and a spring 50 on leg 42, spring 48being compressed against the underside of wall 10 by means of ananchoring or adjusting means, in the present instance a nut 52. Insimilar manner, spring 50 is compressed against plate 10 by a nut 54.The reaction of springs 48 and 50, yieldingly maintains bight 38 againsthinge pin 32, thereby yieldingly maintaining plate 26 in contact withwall10, covering opening 18 and shielding filler cap 22 from fallingdebris.

Plate 26 has an extension 56 in the present instance diametricallyopposite extension 28, and having an upturned edge portion 58, which maybe readily gripped even by a gloved hand. Upward force exerted onextension 56 will tilt plate 26 generally about hinge pin 32. However,the initiation of such movement will cause downward pressure of an edgeportion 60 of above-mentioned extension 28 against wall 10, sinceextension 28, as stated, extends beyond hinge pin 32. Edge 60 thereforebecomes a fulcrum and causes hinge pin 32 to be raised, therebyelevating bight portion 38 and compressing springs 48 and 50. Thismotion continues to a position A, indicated by dotted lines; whereuponhinge pin 32 will have reached its highest possible position. Continuedmovement of plate 26 will permit downward movement of hinge pin 32 (andalso bight 38) as the whole fulcrurns about edge portion 60, springs 48and 50 expanding while maintaining contact between bight 38 and hingepin 32. Plate 26 will ultimately take a nearly horizontal positionopposite to its closed position, as indicated in dotted lines at B, inwhich hinge pin 32 is directly in contact with wall 10, and plate 26 isentirely clear of opening 18.

Y Reverse motion of plate 26 will again raise bight 38, the latter beingyieldably urged downwardly to tend to restoreplate 26 to its full lineposition, as soon as aboveduring the swinging of plate 26 in the regionof position A, edge portion 60 will be forced to slide on the uppersurface of wall 10, while under substantial downward pressure fromsprings 48 and 50. The resulting friction will hold plate 26 quitedependably in the near position A.

The alignment of holes 44 and 46 with slot 30, together with thepresence of legs 40 and 42 therein serves to maintain plate 26 againstsliding sideways into a position misaligned with hole 18, but to makeassurance doubly sure, a stud 62 is fixed in position projectingupwardly from wall 10, preferably diametrically opposite bolt holes 44and 46, and plate 26 is provided with an opening 64 which registers withstud 62 when plate 26 is in closed position. Plate 26 cannot besidewardly displaced except to the extent of any clearance between stud62 and opening 64. Therefore, plate 26 will withstand substantial sideshocks, and the brushing of heavy objects across it in a sidewarddirection without becoming displaced and without introducing extremestresses or pressures into the U-bolt parts or surfaces in contacttherewith.

The operation of the device is thought to be clear from the foregoing,but it is pointed out that the rounded upwardly projecting portion ofbite 38, and the upturned portion 58 of extension 56 are both shaped todeflect objects such as tree limbs which may brush against them in thenormal progress of the vehicle on which the device is used. The closureis virtually instantly raised out of the way when it is desired toservice radiator 16, and remains in position B where it does notencumber opening 18. When the cover is returned to closed position,opening 64 automatically registers with stud 62 by reason of the guidingeffect of U-bolt 36 in engagement with holes 44 and 46 as well as slot28. Plate 26 is readily placed in position A where it will remain withsufiicient assurance by reason of the frictional contact of edge portion60 with the top of wall 10. In the process of manufacture, thisfacilitates the painting of both sides of plate 26 during a singleoperation.

From the above, it will be apparent that a device has been providedwhich will accomplish the objects of the invention, and what is claimedas new, and desired to be secured by Letters Patent of the United Statesis:

1. In a closure for a protective housing of the type providing anupwardly directed opening, and bolt holes spaced radially of theopening, the combination with said housing of a plate larger than saidopening, and having a portion overlying said spaced bolt holes andproviding a notch registering with said spaced bolt holes, a

hinge pin bridging said notch and fixed in position on the upper surfaceof said plate, said hinge pin being spaced inwardly from the edgethereof, a

U-bolt having a bight portion disposed about said hinge pin and a legportion extending downwardly through each of said spaced bolt holes, oneon each side of said hinge pin, a

spring disposed about each leg portion beneath said housing, and

means on said leg portions engaged with said springs in position tomaintain them compressed between said means and the under side of saidhousing.

2. In a closure for a protective housing of the type providing an accessopening, and bolt holes spaced radially of the opening, the combinationwith said housing of a plate larger than said opening, and having aportion overlying said spaced bolt holes and providing a notchregistering with said spaced bolt holes, a

hinge pin bridging said notch and fixed in position on the upper surfaceof said plate, said hinge pin being spaced inwardly from the edgethereof, a

U-bolt having a bight portion disposed about said hinge pin and a legportion extending inwardly through each of said spaced bolt holes, oneon each side of said hinge pin, a

spring disposed about each leg portion beneath said housing, and

means on said leg portions engaged with said springs in position tomaintain them compressed between said means and the inner side of saidhousing.

3. In a closure for a protective housing of the type providing anupwardly directed opening, and bolt holes spaced radially of theopening, the combination with said housing of a plate larger than saidopening, and having a portion overlying said spaced bolt holes andproviding a notch registering with said spaced bolt holes, a hinge pinbridging said notch and fixed in position on the upper surface of saidplate, said hinge pin being spaced inwardly from the edge thereof, a

U-bolt having a bight portion disposed about said hinge pin and a legportion extending downwardly through each of said spaced bolt holes, oneon each side of said hinge pin, a

spring disposed about each leg portion beneath said housing,

means on said leg portions engaged with said springs in position tomaintain them compressed between said means and the under side of saidhousing, a stud fixed on said housing beyond the margin of said openingopposite said bolt holes, said plate having a portion overlying saidstud, said portion providing an opening into which said stud projectswhen said plate is in place closing said opening.

4. In a closure for a protective housing of the type providing anupwardly directed opening, and bolt holes spaced radially of theopening, the combination with said housing of a plate larger than saidopening, and having a port-ion overlying said spaced bolt holes andproviding a notch registering with said spaced bolt holes, a

hinge pin bridging said notch and fixed in position on the upper surfaceof said plate, said hinge pin being spaced inwardly from the edgethereof, a

U- bolt having a bight portion disposed about said hinge pin and a legportion extending downwardly through each of said spaced bolt holes, oneon each side of said hinge pin, a

spring disposed about each leg portion beneath said housing, means onsaid leg portions engaged with said springs in position to maintain themcompressed between said means and the under side of said housing, a

stud fixed on said housing beyond the margin of said opening oppositesaid bolt holes, said plate having a portion overlying said stud, saidportion providing an opening into which said stud projects when saidplate is in place closing said opening, and said portion having anupturned edge positioned to serve as a handgrip for removing said platefrom said opening. 5. In a closure for a protective housing of the typeproviding an opening to be closed, the combination with said housing ofa plate larger than said opening and having a portion extendingsubstantially beyond the margin of said opening and providing a notch, a

hinge pin bridging said notch and fixed in position on the surface ofsaid plate opposite to said protective housing, said hinge pin beingspaced inwardly from the edge of said extending portion, a

U bolt having a bight portion disposed about said hinge pin and legportions extending inwardly through said notch and through said housing,one on each side of said hinge pin, a

spring disposed about each leg portion on the side of said housing awayfrom said plate, and

means on said leg portions engaged with said springs in position tomaintain them compressed between said means and said side of saidhousing.

6. In a closure for a protective housing of the type providing anopening to be closed, the combination with said housing of a platelarger than said opening and having a portion extending substantiallybeyond the margin of said opening and providing an aperture, a

hinge pin bridging said aperture and fixed in position on the surface ofsaid plate opposite to said protective housing, a

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS LochokAug. 7, 1928 Clausen Apr. 14, 1931

1. IN A CLOSURE FOR A PROTECTIVE HOUSING OF THE TYPE PROVIDING ANUPWARDLY DIRECTED OPENING, AND BOLT HOLES SPACED RADIALLY OF THEOPENING, THE COMBINATION WITH SAID HOUSING OF A PLATE LARGER THAN SAIDOPENING, AND HAVING A PORTION OVERLYING SAID SPACED BOLT HOLES ANDPROVIDING A NOTCH REGISTERING WITH SAID SPACED BOLT HOLES, A HINGE PINBRIDGING SAID NOTCH AND FIXED IN POSITION ON THE UPPER SURFACE OF SAIDPLATE, SAID HINGE PIN BEING SPACED INWARDLY FROM THE EDGE THEREOF, A